Seeing that Danny couldn't be stopped, Jack stopped trying to intervene. If it were up to him, he might be even harsher, though his methods would likely be subtler. But since NYPD was leading this case, he held back from overstepping, especially since Danny wasn't wrong—the girl's life was the priority.
As for securing a conviction, that would be handled once the girl was safe. At worst, if anything went sideways, there was always the possibility of an "accidental" demise—there was no way they would let someone like Donald Bens get another chance.
"Glug, glug…"
"Where is she?"
"Go to hell!"
"Glug, glug…"
"This is your last chance. Tell me where she is—speak!"
"I don't know!"
"You don't know? Really?"
"Glug, glug…"
"Stop! I'm going to die!"
"Glug, glug…"
Ten minutes later, Danny emerged with Donald Bens, who was soaked and sporting a bruised face. Jack instinctively took a step back, eyeing the man who'd drunk his fill of toilet water with distaste. Even if it were one of those famously clean Japanese toilets, Jack would still find it revolting.
"Did he say anything?"
"Of course. She's nearby, in a rental storage unit. And you'll never guess the name he used for it—Monsignor Nicholas." Danny shoved Bens forward in disgust.
"A 'protector of children,' huh? How ironic," Jack muttered. By now, he'd learned a fair amount about Western culture. Saint Nicholas, the original inspiration for Santa Claus, was regarded as a protector of children and women in Europe. Traditions like chimney sweeping and hanging stockings for gifts originated with stories from Saint Nicholas's legend in Northern Europe, particularly Finland. In some places, St. Nicholas Day on December 6th is considered more important than Christmas.
Together, Jack and Danny shoved this "non-recyclable garbage" into the narrow back seat of the Hellcat. Jack silently vowed to keep this from Hannah, or she'd undoubtedly scrub the car with alcohol multiple times.
As they drove, a light rain began to fall, bringing a touch of coolness to early summer in New York. Following Danny's directions, Jack turned a couple of corners and stopped in front of a narrow alley. In front of them was an old brick warehouse converted into rental storage units.
Just as they stepped out of the car, they heard police sirens behind them. Their backup had arrived, along with an ambulance.
"I'll handle this. You all keep an eye on the guy in the back. Once we're done here, take him back to the station," Danny said, accepting a pair of heavy-duty bolt cutters from an officer and going to the metal roll-up door, cutting the padlock.
Jack moved up to help him lift the heavy door. Inside were small storage units sectioned off like prison cells.
"Unit 86. Let's split up," Danny said, moving forward quickly, though Jack pulled him back, pointing at the layout map on the wall. Clearly, Danny was letting his concern cloud his judgment.
Navigating through the maze-like corridors, they finally found unit 86.
"Teresa!" Danny called out several times, his anxiety growing as his hands shook, making it difficult for him to use the bolt cutters.
"Let me." Jack took the cutters from him, snapping the padlock in a single go.
"Teresa?!" Danny yanked the metal door open to see a small figure huddled in the corner, making his heart lurch.
He reached out a trembling finger, checking beneath the girl's nose, and relaxed when he felt her faint breath. "Hey, Teresa, wake up. Come on, wake up."
He gently shook the girl's shoulder until she stirred.
"Mmm… mmm…" Teresa blinked, her eyes wide with fear as she seemed to awaken from a nightmare.
"Don't be afraid. You're safe now. I'm a police officer, okay? I'm here to take you home. Don't be scared, don't be scared," Danny said, his demeanor shifting from a fierce detective to a comforting figure, his voice soft and soothing. He took off his jacket and draped it around her shoulders.
Tears welled up in the girl's eyes, though the tape over her mouth prevented her from making a sound.
"Hold still. I'll carefully take this off, okay? It might hurt a bit, but be brave," he said as he gently peeled the tape from her mouth.
"Ahem." Jack handed him an evidence bag, silently suggesting that he save the tape for fingerprints or other evidence. Jack couldn't help but think Danny, despite having two sons, was a bit of a "girl dad" at heart.
"You're going to be just fine," Danny said as he carried little Teresa out of the storage unit.
The girl had clung to his neck and cried softly, her small, cat-like whimpers melting Jack's heart. Danny himself nearly shed tears.
"Where's my mom?" Teresa asked in a small voice, her tears finally subsiding.
"You'll see her soon. Don't worry. Look, these people here are doctors—they'll take you to the hospital, and your mom and dad will meet you there, alright?"
As Danny spoke, he handed Teresa to the paramedics, urging them, "Quickly, please. She urgently needs insulin."
The paramedic wrapped her in a blanket, nodded, placed her on a stretcher, and loaded her into the ambulance.
"Ever think about having a daughter?" Jack teased as he watched the ambulance drive away.
Danny ignored the joke, exhaling a long sigh of relief. "Doesn't matter. At least we got a happy ending."
But things didn't always go according to plan. Under the flash of cameras from arriving reporters, Donald Bens was escorted to a police car, loudly protesting.
"Police brutality! That man tried to drown me! He shoved my head in a toilet!"
Great. Just as things seemed to settle, a new storm was brewing.
—
After a good night's sleep, Jack got up early to call Dana Mosier and report on the case, then began tidying up. Hannah would be back from her vacation on Monday. With today being Saturday, the case seemed wrapped up enough that he could finally take a break. But after lunch, Jack made his way to the FBI office in the Federal Building.
It seemed that recently, as his work was stabilizing and the joint operations with local law enforcement were running smoothly, Dana Mosier was gradually giving him more independence. She had barely been involved in the NYPD case, aside from briefing him briefly at Frank Reagan's press conference. She seemed confident in Jack's handling or perhaps was testing him. Or maybe it was just that this case moved so quickly, with the missing girl found within half a day.
As Assistant Director, Dana Mosier managed the FBI's entire New York City field office. Besides Manhattan, there were additional offices in Queens, Hudson Valley, and Long Island, covering New York State's southeastern region. Unlike NYPD, which had jurisdiction only within the city, these FBI offices, known collectively as the New York Field Office, extended their reach further.
Additionally, with the UN headquarters in Manhattan, the international division investigated cases involving American citizens or interests abroad in cooperation with foreign agencies.
Jack understood Dana's packed schedule, but reporting was still necessary. After waiting outside her office for a bit, watching supervisors go in and out, he finally picked up a newspaper to pass the time.
Of course, the night's events had made the news, though fortunately, the coverage focused on the swift rescue of the kidnapped girl rather than the accusations of excessive force, which received only brief mention.
As he read, Dana Mosier's voice interrupted his thoughts. "How long do you plan to sit outside my office?"
Startled, Jack looked up to see her standing by the office door, waiting. He quickly folded the newspaper and followed her inside.
"In the future, just knock and come in. You're here as a BAU consultant; you don't need to worry about appearances," Dana said, handing him a cup of coffee. She seemed satisfied despite her words.
Though Americans might not stress humility, showing respect and knowing boundaries was a professional standard across cultures.
"The case is mostly wrapped up, so it's nothing urgent. But I suspect there might be some complications. I just wanted to ask if you'd like me to continue handling it," Jack said, taking a sip of the premium coffee, savoring the difference in taste.
Dana nodded. "Yes, after your report this morning, Commissioner Reagan expressed his thanks to the FBI. However, I'd still like you to stay involved.
"There might be accusations of coercive interrogation, meaning this case may not proceed to a regular trial. Danny Reagan could also face an investigation by NYPD's Internal Affairs."
------------------
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Reborn in America's Anti-Terror Unit (Chapter 542)
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Becoming the Wealthiest Tycoon on the Planet (Chapter 1284)
Surgical Fruit in the American Comics Universe (Chapter 1289)
American Detective: From TV Rookie to Seasoned Cop (Chapter 1316)
American TV Writer (Chapter 1402)
I Am Hades, The Supreme GOD of the Underworld! (Chapter 570)
Reborn as Humanity's Emperor Across the Multiverse (Chapter 660)
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